The Enemy Of The Night

What is more inspiring than a dark night filled withtrespass, over-illumination, and sky glow. Light
sparkling stars? There's just something magicaltrespass occurs when unwanted light spills over
about looking into the dark sky and seeing a skybeyond the boundary of the property on which a
packed with dazzeling stars, it is certainly breathlight is located to adjacent properties. Light
taking. In all reality there is no real way totrespass is often caused by high or poorly
communicate how much stars effect us, and howpositioned lights. The result is bright night lighting
much the inability to see them, really takes awayon an area that would otherwise be dark.
from our ability to experience the night sky. TheOver-illumination is the excessive use of light.
inabililty to see the stars at night is the result ofSpecifically within the United States,
light pollution, which can be described as theover-illumination is responsible for approximately
biggest enemy of the night sky. Light pollution istwo million barrels of oil per day in energy wasted.
harmful, just as other forms of pollution areSky glow is the bright glow that can be seen
harmful. Also, it is relatively unnecessary, the glowover many cities and towns in the evening. It is
that light pollution causes in the night sky, knowncaused by light traveling through and being
as sky glow is not needed. One could might arguescattered by particulates in the atmosphere. It is
that light pollution is a 'necessary' effect ofworse in heavily polluted areas and will always
progress, but this is not true. Light pollution comesexist to some extent when the air quality is poor.
from inefficient lighting sources, which shine lightAbout two thirds of the population of the world
aimlessly into the night sky. These lights that shineand 99% of people in the continental USA and
into the sky do not increase nighttime safety orWestern Europe never see a truly dark starry
security. After all, lights that shine downward orsky from where they live because of light
where they are more appropriately needed arepollution. When a massive power outage struck
those which increase safety and security. In allsouthern California in the 1990s, Los Angeles
reality these aimlessly shining lights, only increaseresidents reportedly called 911 to express alarm
glare and expenses, costing tens of billion ofabout strange clouds hovering overhead; they
dollars each year in the United States alone.were seeing the Milky Way for the first time!
Lessening light pollution is not impossible. On anLight pollution must be addressed by changing the
individual level, one can choose to light ones homehabits of society, so that lighting is used more
with efficient outdoor lighting systems, which doefficiently, with less waste and less creation of
not shine up into the night sky. By lessening lightunwanted or unneeded illumination. If we all work
pollution, one will save money while also reducingtogether, future generations can regain some of
the glare and glow, seen in the night sky. It isthe pleasures of seeing a star filled night sky. To
important for us to keep our night sky dark,this end, it is important to pick appropriate lighting
being able to see the stars is a privilege, onesystems, when lighting your home inside and out.
which we should not take so lightly. Light pollutionNight sky friendly outdoor lighting fixtures can be
is excess or obtrusive light created by humans.found online at Our outdoor lights are chosen
Light pollution is a broad term that refers tobecause they are both energy efficient and
multiple problems, all of which are caused byenvironmentally friendly.
inefficient, annoying or unnecessary use of artificialAnthony Arrigo is an avid astronomer and night
light. Specific types of light pollution include lightsky activist.